User reviews

This film came out just two years after "Skyjacked," the first movie made about skyjacking. Most hijacking of airplanes before this were for one of two reasons – to extort money from the airlines, or to flee somewhere for political asylum. "The Terrorists" is the first movie made about organized terrorists taking over a plane. And it surely wasn't the last.

What is very good about this film is that it shows how security personnel handle the situation. It's new to all the characters in this film. Sean Connery plays the head of Scandinavian security, Co. Nils Tahlvik. While the movie uses the general term Scandinavian for the region, the event takes place in Norway, most likely Oslo. All the actors play their roles very well. The plot is complicated, and the script and direction handle it very well, so the audience is never lost about what is taking place.

The scenery and aerial photography are excellent. The flight into Russia with the buzzing and then escort by the Soviet-looking jets is most impressive. Even though the details are clear to the audience, the story has wonderful suspense as we see Tahlvik and the other characters go through their actions to meet deadlines. Connery's character also exclaims that to surrender to terrorists is to open to door to more and more terrorism. His purpose is to try to thwart the terrorists.

This is a nice film, filled with drama and suspense. There isn't a lot of action until the end. But, it is a good look at how government and security forces try to deal with terrorists and skyjackings.

"The Terrorists" has one subtle "message" of sorts. It takes a cynical stab at British government that will not arrest some criminals because they can be of use to them. The message is, that because they do that, it comes back to hurt innocent people. Connery's character insists that the law be followed, or anarchy will rule.

Terrorists have seized the British ambassador (Robert Harris) to an unnamed Scandinavian country, and are counting on an associate named Petrie (Ian McShane), who's commandeered a jet, to get them to safety. The main character standing in their way is no-nonsense security chief Colonel Nils Tahlvik (Sean Connery). The passengers on the jet have cause to be concerned, as Tahlvik is not willing to play the terrorists' game. He's going to try to foil them, no matter what it takes.

Although a somewhat forgotten thriller 43 years later, it's certainly still topical enough to have some resonance. It's not particularly *exciting*, or exceptional in any way, but it tells an okay story in capable fashion. Its main asset is its forward momentum, as it races towards the finish line with no filler to speak of, and wraps up in just under an hour and a half. The excellent soundtrack by the always reliable Jerry Goldsmith is a big help in keeping it watchable. It gets off to a grand start with a couple of satisfying explosions, and delivers some twists along the way. It was largely filmed on location in Norway (the wintry atmosphere is most enjoyable), with interiors done at Britains' famed Shepperton Studios.

This viewer wouldn't necessarily consider the performances of Connery and McShane to be "indifferent". Yes, they've been better before and since, but the scenario does benefit from their presence and professionalism. The cast is mostly (and obviously) British, even in some of the Scandinavian roles, and they get the job done adequately.

Largely routine, and forgettable, but entertaining to watch.

Six out of 10.

Sadly neglected 70's thriller shot on location in Oslo, Norway. Sean Connery looks great as "Scandinavian Security Chief" Nils Tahlvik, and director Caspar Wrede has made some great use of Oslo scenery including a West Side residential area, Oslo's City Hall and Fornebu International Airport (which closed down in 1998). It's also nice to see one of Norway's greatest stage actors, Knut Wigert, as Connery's commanding officer.

All though slow-moving at times this gritty looking thriller has a nice realistic flair to it, including some surprising plot twists along the way.

One final note: from a Norwegian point-of-view it's fun to see how much this British production has the look and feel of a 70's Norwegian film!

Update/comment on Mike's user comment with the headline "Boring Swedish hijacking action": I don't know where he gets all this "Swedish"-stuff as the movie is mainly shot on location in Norway, it has Norwegian actors in some of the supporting roles (most notably Knut Wigert and Alf Malland) and not one Swedish actor, and as IMDb states it is a British production. Sweden had nothing to do with it.

In a Scandinavian country, -name given to the three countries of Norway, Denmark and Sweden- , there a national security chief Colonel called Tahlvik (Sean Connery) is tasked to rescue the passengers of a high-jacked British airliner , only to discover that all is not what it seems . The gang of hijackers is led by Ray Petrie (Ian McShane) who seize the British plane as it is landing in Scandinavia . Meanwhile , the British Ambassador is being held hostage at his Embassy by another terrorist team. Skyjack , kidnap : A time-bomb of suspense has started ticking. Two nations are being held for ransom and... Sean Connery is the agent who takes on The Terrorists . Connery Won't Pay Ransom .Hijackers. Kidnappers. Killers. Only one man can stop them.

The action is set in Scandinavia and it concerns two terrorist events : the hijack of a passenger plane on the tarmac of a nearby airport and the kidnap of the British Ambassador whose Embassy residence has been seized by a second group of terrorists . A simple and modest thriller in the same mould as ¨The Intercine Project¨ by Ken Hughes and others at the time , which seems similarly intent on dealing with issues of contemporary relevance as grisly ¨Terrorism¨ during the violent 70s ; however all roles and events in this film are fictitious and any similarity to actual events or persons living or dead is purely coincidental . Generic title betrays its poor as well as sloppy execution . Some stock roles and formula dialogue don't help either . It turns into a straightforward , pretty enjoyable , but slow-moving and complex thriller . It results in a twisted kidnapping movie , being a decent story but middlingly adapted , if somewhat implausible terrorism tale . The movie gains in weight thanks to its typical implications and plot twists . All in all , a neat and unpretentious intrigue movie that offers more food for thought than most such unshamedly commercial movies . Although director Wrede and his cameraman Sven Nykvist are more than compelling , the film nevertheless has a distinct air of triviality due mainly to the made-for-TV ethos that seems to surround the whole production . Sean Connery gives an a decent acting as tough , law and order , Military Police Chief Colonel Tahlvik assigned to rescue the plane and its passengers but he must also deal with several problems . Just like he was a Scottish Lithuanian subcommander in ¨The hunt for Red October¨ (1990) , here Sean is a Scottish Norwegian Securirity Chief . He is very well accompanied by Ian McShane , a veteran actor still working . And a good but unknown support cast , such as : Isabel Dean , John Quentin , Robert Harris , James Maxwell , John Cording, Christopher Ellison , and other Norwegian local actors dubbed with familiar sounding British voice-over players credited at the closing credits , among others.

Good photography by Sven Nykvist , Woody Allen and Ingmar Bergman's ordinary cameraman , being shot on location in Norway , and breathtaking musical score by Jerry Goldsmith are wasted . The motion picture was professional but regularly directed by Caspar Wrede . He was a director , writer , and producer, usually for TV , known for One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich , The Barber of Stamford Hill , The New Inferno , No No ,No ¡ , Private Potter (1962), ITV Play of the Week (1955) and BBC Sunday-Night Theatre (1950) . Wrede was married to actress Dilys Hamlett and he had short but prestigious career . Rating : 5.5/10 . Acceptable and passable .

Strong performances by leads Sean Connery and Ian Mc Shane, backed good action segments, pacing and fine winter locations. Poor editing in some spots causes the film to seem a bit stiff as does some inferior dubbing. Nice twists. Connery's always a pleasure to watch, and Mc Shane's bad guy provides an interesting touch as the head terrorist.

Sean Connery plays Scandanavian military police chief Nils Tahlvik, assigned to deal with a high jacked British plane that has landed at their airport. The terrorists make various demands that Tahlvik must meet if he wants to save the plane filled with passengers...

Undistinguished yarn has little going for it other than Sean Connery's commanding performance, and a surprise twist at the end that perhaps doesn't bear close scrutiny.... Regardless, though not at all bad, it contains little to make it memorable.

With all respect to Mr. Connery, were films like this and "Zardoz" worth giving up playing James Bond?

Sean Connery plays a tough, uncompromising security chief who just happens to be a Swede with a distinctive Scottish burr in this forgotten thriller from the mid-70s. It's probably forgotten because it's all a bit hum-drum and consistently fails to thrill at any level. These were sort of Connery's wilderness years when he made a number of stinkers post-Bond (this, Zardoz, The Next Man) before finally hitting his stride. Having said that, he's still the best thing in this. Ian McShane can't compare and, sporting a three piece-suit and footballer's hair-do, makes a completely unconvincing terrorist.

The story is unnecessarily convoluted and – at less than 90 minutes – overlong, with a number of superfluous scenes. Characterisation is non-existent, the terrorist's ideology and objectives sketchily described, and the climax is badly bungled as black-and-white suddenly becomes a murky grey which grows even muddier when two (presumably) good guys come to blows.

The picture's one saving grace is Sven Nykvist's terrific photography. He captures some incredible images during the plane chase sequence which are simply staggering when viewed in high definition.

I cannot believe the negative comments I am reading here. This is a complex, atmospheric and well-acted thriller, which fully captures the 1970s atmosphere of European terrorism, fashion and mannerisms.

The photography is stunning of the Norwegian snowbound landscapes, and Sean Connery gives one of his best performances.

And to cap it all there is a great - and I mean GREAT score by Jerry Goldsmith, one of this best.

Check the scene of the plane chase through the mountains, also the stylish montage of scenes involving London being struck by terrorism in the opening credits and the way the photofit of the terrorist leader gradually appears.

Goldsmith's score is so good, it is worth watching for that alone!

I watched this movie because I love thrillers and love Sean Connery, so how bad can it be? IMO bad but not the worse. First off the term 'thriller' should not be used for this film as there are hardly any thrills. I could get past that if the story was at least exciting or made sense. I'm sure on paper it's easy to follow but I have no idea why they took the plane hostage, who's on who's side or why Sean Connery took this script? I feel like a child who needs someone to explain what I just watched, which shouldn't be since the entire movie takes place basically at 2 locations with very little action. If you're looking for a time killer then watch it just to see Sean Connery in one of his worse films but if you're looking for a real thriller stay away.

This film is also called The ransom, not to be confused with the mild action film with Mel Gibson.

The film set in the Scandinavian country (called Scandinavia in the movie, while it is shot in Norway), the snow atmosphere and the heavily dressed characters somehow dictated the slowness of the pace in the movie. Nevertheless, it's exciting. The whole look is not your conventional Hollywood actioner, while at the same time deserves the same class as that of the late sixties/early seventies crime/caper movies like Bullit, French Connection, Taking Pelham One, Two and Three and Dirty Harry.

Connery is fun to watch. He really adds to the atmosphere of the movie and the relatively tame climax looks good with his presence. Good movie. 7/10

I was wondering when all the action was going to start. After all, this film concentrates on a hijacking thriller and with the exception of one passenger who resisted, no violence whatsoever goes on during the 90 minutes of this film.

Sean Connery plays a hard-nosed by the book chief assigned to end this situation where a British Ambassador, dying from heart disease, is held captive by terrorists and as they make their escape, they're warned of impending doom. Along comes some cohorts to hijack an airplane and threaten to blow it up with the 100 passengers and crew on board.

Ian MacShane plays the devilish heavy here, but is really a heavy? Routine fanfare.

We watched the ending several times, then went through it frame by frame to try and figure out who was good and who was bad and WHY did this character fight this character and what was the overall purpose of the double high jacking / kidnapping. It needed "good guy/bad guy" labels during the final shoot out.

"Ransom" is a Swedish 1974 action thriller about a bunch of terrorist taking the British ambassador in Sweden and an airplane full of passengers on an airport as hostages for blackmailing the government to free some radical political prisoners - a typical plot of seventies' politics and thriller books and movies. It's Sean Connery's turn now, playing the Swedish secret service boss Tahlvik, to free the hostages, and he finds out a shocking political conspiracy between the governments and the terrorists...

Well, only Sean Connery is worth being watched in this movie, playing a moustache-wearing agent in his European post-007 years with the well-known James Bond touch, but with a sharper and more tragical edge. The other actors are rather mean (watch out for Germany's legendary "Kommissar Keller" Erik Ode in a cameo), but Finnish director Caspar Wrede and his production team didn't do a really good job!

Although the story is good, Wrede didn't know how to produce action, thrills, subplots and interesting characters. Except for some explosions in the beginning of the films and a short showdown at the end, the pacing is boring, the characters are dull and the editing seems like from a first-step student short cut. With an experienced director, photographer and editor, this movie could have been a lost little treasure maybe. So you can only wonder why Connery and Jerry Goldsmith, who provided a rather weaker score here, got involved with this picture. "Ransom" is far away from the great new wave of Swedish action, thriller and political crime books and films of the last 15 years - and it can't compete at all with Joseph Sargeant's brilliant subway hijacking drama "The Taking of Pelham 1-2-3" which was released a short time before.

A British thriller; A story about a ruthless military police chief assigned to rescue a plane and its passengers from hijackers, and an ambassador whose residence was seized by a group of terrorists. Filmed in Norway, this melodrama builds tension quite well with the terrorists convincing in their terrifying aims and desperation. The icy landscape and snow setting lend an interesting atmosphere and Jerry Goldsmith's musical score adds to the suspense. However, it underwhelms in a few ways: the direction lacks style, sound dubbing is awkward, and the storyline is a little far-fetched.

Sean Connery continued to travel the globe as yet another Scottish-accented foreigner in this competent thriller that rather unfairly usually gets short shrift from commentators, since Connery is of course excellent and has certainly made much worse films than this ('Shalako' anyone?) .

After a credit sequence superimposed over the usual shots of London the action proper promptly relocates for the remainder of the film to Oslo (identified merely as 'Scandinavia'), which provides an atmospherically snowy backdrop shot by the venerable Sven Nykvist.

The conclusion is highly confusing but you keep watching. The highly patrician John Quentin is imaginatively cast as the principal terrorist, while the score by Jerry Goldsmith easily ranks with his best.

It's the mid 70s and a post Bond Connery has to explore the options available in order to expand his "range". Hollywood has gone "youth" with genre breaking thrillers from new talent ushering in a new realism and political awareness.

These things are evident in "Ransom" which is not particularly violent but seems to want to play a dystopian understanding of global hypocrisy while keeping a fairy tale ending, kind of like another airport bound thriller, Die Hard 2 would do with a higher body count and more sophistication.

Bad guys are loosely sketched, the wife of a diplomat hostage goes nerve shreddingly irrational, the plot is moved from signpost to signpost as our hostage negotiator solved the case almost completely out of nowhere. There's crosses and double crosses but nothing that surprises and no sequences that hold the tension.

Sadly, it's got the talent, it's got the movement and the intent but it's only got an idea for a script rather than a fully realised screenplay. A real missed opportunity.

McShane hijacks a plane demanding safe passage for a terrorist group who are holding the British ambassador captive in Norway. Head of Security Connery gets the job of sorting things out.

This is a solid enough thriller in the snow with the best bits being with tough uncompromising Connery. There are also a few good set pieces and one or two twists in the tale. The bits in between though don't really add to the tension and the endless dubbing of every other character actor is distracting.

Not bad, but could have been better.